How to Calculate Runway When You Have an Initial Contract

How to Calculate Runway When You Have an Initial Contract

Author: Erik Dietrich June 18, 2025 Duration: 25:43
You've got a full-time job but want to go indie, and you line up your first contract. How do you think about how much runway you need to create between current savings and that first contract, for when it expires? Join us to learn more. View this podcast as a video on YouTube. Links of the week: A post from Sawmills, which introduces log parsing, explains its importance for transforming unstructured logs into actionable data and outlines best practices for efficient and scalable implementation. Learn how Tricentis Data Integrity helps ensure end-to-end data accuracy and reliability across complex enterprise systems through automated testing and validation. (The Data Integrity page is also available to read in German, French, and Japanese).

Erik Dietrich hosts Hit Subscribe Freelancer Q&A, a podcast that pulls back the curtain on the practical realities of running your own business. This isn't about abstract theory or motivational speeches; it's a grounded, question-and-answer format built directly from the challenges freelancers and solo entrepreneurs face every day. Each episode dives into specific, tactical concerns-from setting rates and negotiating contracts to managing client relationships and finding a sustainable workflow. You'll hear straightforward advice and thoughtful discussions that stem from real-world experience, offering a sense of clarity and camaraderie for anyone navigating the sometimes isolating world of self-employment. Tune in for honest conversations that cut through the noise, providing actionable insights whether you're just starting out or looking to refine an established practice. This podcast serves as a reliable resource, transforming common freelancing puzzles into manageable steps forward.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Hit Subscribe Freelancer Q&A
Podcast Episodes
Should You Do Strategy Work for Non-Executive Engagement Sponsors? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:06
To view this as a video, head to our YouTube channel. A question came up in our community recently about whether or not to do strategy work for non-executive engagement sponsors. I talk a lot about engaging with economic…
Can You Make a Living Selling Info Products as a Tech Expert? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:52
”Info products” are things like podcast courses or eBooks that anyone with an internet connection can create and sell pretty easily. Can you make a living selling these types of products to software engineers?
Is Helping with Strategic Decisions about Codebases a Good Niche? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:48
This one hits close to home for me. A reader/viewer wondered if helping companies make strategic decisions about codebases is a good niche, and I can answer this because it was once kind of my niche. View this podcast as…
How to Use Pricing to Show Your Value [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:40
As a freelancer and service provider, you'll likely offer value during your sales and onboarding process. But when should you stop? When should you charge for things to show your clients that your work is valuable? View…
How Did You (Erik) Arrive at Your Niche? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:34
Long ago, when I was blogging more regularly about identifying niches, a reader asked me how I found mine. While I don't do a ton of exposition content, I thought this topic might be interesting for viewers. View this po…
Should You Unbundle Strategy and Labor in Services Work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:35
If you're offering services as a freelancer, does it make sense to unbundle strategy from labor? This episode digs into that question. This podcast is courtesy of Hit Subscribe. Prefer to watch the video version of this…
How to Avoid Being Treated Like an Employee? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:28
If you have a single big client, engaging your services for an unspecified amount of time, it can be easy to fall into an employee-employer style relationship. How can you avoid that? View this podcast as a video on YouT…
Is Improving Code Performance a Good Niche? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:03
For a while, I was getting a lot of questions about whether something would be a good niche for indies. In this video, I answer the question of whether improving code performance is a good niche. Join us to learn more. V…
What Is the Difference Between a Niche and Positioning? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:47
You may hear the terms "niche" and "positioning" tossed around a lot, often interchangeably. What do these really mean, and what's the difference? Join us to learn more. View this podcast as a video on YouTube. Links of…